Seeking a Fellow for 2018

Island Reach (IR) is an international charitable organization seeking a Fellow to join our team to assist with program development in the US and field actions in Vanuatu, Melanesia. IR partners with local communities, civil society organizations, and government departments in Vanuatu to build social and environmental resilience from ridge to reef. Across the more than 80 inhabited islands in the Vanuatu archipelago, Island Reach is active both aboard Research Vessel Llyr, our mobile service platform, and year-round by air, truck, small boat, and foot, accessing remote communities and areas to build conservation capacity and food security, and to facilitate peer-to-peer networking. Island Reach collaborates with communities to catalyze indigenous stewardship that integrates traditional ecological knowledge with scientific knowledge to address today's unprecedented challenges.

Island Reach is looking for a post-grad or graduate level student who is passionate about conservation activism and community partnerships, and interested in joining our cross-cultural team. There are two components to this fellowship: US-based work, and fieldwork overseas. State-side activities will include grant writing, organizational development work, and outreach, all of which can be done remotely. Overseas work may entail the fellow joining the team on expedition, engaging with communities, and implementing programs. The position's duration is 6-12 months, depending on the applicant's interests and responsibilities. Overseas room and board are provided with the possibility to negotiate a further stipend.

Useful skill sets include familiarity with qualitative social science fieldwork, cross-cultural experience, some background in environmental and development issues, strong writing skills, initiative, and curiosity. Additional assets could include, for example, videography knowledge, scuba diving, or sailing. In the field there is rigorous demand for physical capacity and cross-cultural sensitivity since the position involves working at sea and with remote communities. While a Fellow would be expected to undertake a wide range of work activities, previous capability in all areas is not required. The IR team offers a supportive training and educational environment for those with a passion and drive to engage the challenges at hand. Fellows are encouraged to bring their particular skills and interests to bear when designing and implementing new and existing Island Reach projects as part of their professional development.

Please have a look around our website and reach out with any questions to Directors Janis and Brooks or to Project Coordinator Connor Steele-McCutchen at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health at csteel10@jhu.edu

There are many ways you can strengthen our reach. Check them out here!